The new Pennyslvania SIG
will conduct its first meeting at
10 am Pacific Time
on November 11
See the entry in the website calendar for more information.
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The July 2026 issue of Der Blumenbaum is now available. If you are a member and did not receive a copy, log-in to the website and go to the Der Blumenbaum page to download this issue.
There will be no presention in July.
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2027 Presentations: As speakers are confirmed, they will appear on the website calendar. |
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German Immigrants to America Church Records (set of books): That collection was moved from the Sacramento FamilySearch Center to the Sacramento Turn Verein Library. Before going there, check their hours. |
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German Genealogy Resource Map - courtesy of Palatines to America German Genealogical Society is now listed under Resources. To find it, click "Resources" in the sidebar to the left, then filter by Category "Genealogical Research" and Timeframe "New (within 180 days)"
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Time Zones – Online events can take place anytime so the Live Webinars FAQ page has an easy-to-use time zone converter pre-configured by SGGS to show times for the most commonly referenced time zones. |
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Looking for new links and files? – Go to the links and files options under Resources. New entries are marked "NEW" and include many links to Prussian resarch in Germany, a Germans from Lithuania name index and free German music. Also added a link to a FamilySearch page containing videos for those doing Austro-Hungarian research. |
SGGS' Online Store
The SGGS Online Store which sells Der Blumenbaum back issues and a few mechandise items is temporarily closed. It will reopen soon with an all new look and easier to use customer interface. If you have any questions about ordering merchandise, please contact SGGS <sggs@sggs.us>.
SGGS also looking for people to help with sales during meetings and to ship items ordered online. If you would like volunteer, please contact SGGS at any of its meetings or the foregoing email address. |
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Oct 27
Beyond Facebook: Using Social Media to Advance Your Genealogy Research
Presented by Barbara Schmidt. Social media has become much more than a place to share family photos—it can be a powerful tool for genealogical research. From finding distant relatives and connecting with local experts to discovering records, archives, and historical resources, social media platforms offer opportunities that researchers could only dream of a generation ago. This presentation explores how genealogists can effectively use platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others to expand their research network, stay informed about new resources, and collaborate with fellow family historians around the world. Attendees will learn practical strategies for finding reliable information, building meaningful connections, and avoiding common pitfalls while making social media an effective ...
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Nov 11
Pennsylvania SIG (New!)
SGGS has created a Special Interest Group focused on genealogy related to Pennsylvania. The group will meet via Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month and will be hosted by Ken Weaver. Ken was born and raised in PA and resided there until relocating to Florida in 2014. He is a retired educator and amateur genealogist, who spends his time helping others in finding their ancestors. The first meeting of the SIG will be at 10 AM on November 11. If you wish to be added to the list to receive the Zoom link, please email Ken ...
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Dec 5
Christkindlmarkt 2026
The Sacramento Turn Verein will host a German Christmas market during the first weekend in December that features shopping opportunities, live entertainment and a German lunch. Best of all, SGGS will be hosting an informational table in the library room. Please stop by to say hello. Hours: 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday); 11 am to 6 pm (Sunday)
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Feb 23
German minorities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)
Presented by Till Fehmer, Fehmer Genealogy UG (haftungsbeschränkt), Professional German Genealogist Overview: German minorities in the 19th century and today. In the 19th century, millions of Germans lived in CEE, compared to only a couple of tens of thousands in the 21st century. History starting in medieval times: When did Germans start emigrating to the East? What are the different German minorities: Russian Germans, Sudeten Germans, Danube Swabians, Transylvanian Germans, Baltic Germans, etc. Emigration of these minorities to the United States. Example A: I researched in detail the life of one Russian German residing in Crimea who emigrated to the United States. I would like to ...
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Mar 23
Personenstand in Prussia: Locating Civil Records in the Former German Provinces Now in Poland
Presented by Ute Brandenburg. The Prussian states of the German Empire implemented a uniform civil registration system on October 1, 1874. The complex history of the former Prussian provinces ceded to Poland after World War II presents unique challenges for researchers. This session will explore the many websites and ongoing indexing projects – some well-hidden, others tricky to navigate – that will help you locate surviving civil records Display date and time for most locations
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Apr 27
Food in the Eighteenth Century – What Your Ancestors Ate
Presented by Angelika Schmalbach. Dispaly date and time for most locations
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